Air-operated figure.



L. A, IVIAPEL.

AiR OPERATED FIGURE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 19. 1915.

Patented Sept, 28, 1915.

ws ow,

LEliVIS A. MAPEL, 013 ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

AIR-OPERATED FIGURE.

Application filed June 19, 1915.

To all 1072,0772, it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEWIS A. MAPEL, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of St. Louis and State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Air-Operated Figin'e. of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to air operated figures.

The invention has particular reference to that class of devices which include a figure arranged to rotate on a vertical axis and which supports a number of pivoted arms or vanes which are capable of movement with respect to the figure supporting them and which automatically and as an incident to rapid movement Qiii the figure through the air assume horizontal positions andcause the supporting figure to revolve as aresult of the action oi the air against the arms or vanes.

An object of the invention is to provide a movable figure adapted to be mounted on an automobile or other vehicle and including a figure revolubly mounted on a vertical axis and prim-iced with pivoted arms arranged so that as a result of the travel of the vehicle the pivoted arms will assume horizontal positions and cause the vertical figure to rotate on its axis.

Other objects will appear from the following detail description, reference being made to the accompanying drawing in which- Figure l is a front elevation of a figure embodying the principles of my present invention. Fig.2 is a rear elevation of the figure. Fig". 3 is a side elevation showing the arms in horizontal position, which is the position of the arms when the figure is transported rapidly through the air and which as a result of the action of the air impart a rotary I1104l6111611i) to the figure. Fin. ll is a view of one part of the figure illustrating the mounting of the axis and the su 'iporting pivot for the arms. Fig. 5 is a similar view of the coi peratine; member. Fig. 6 is a sectional view illustrating. the bearing of the vertical axis upon which the figure revolves. Fig. 7 is a. plan view of the figure with the pivoted arins detached. Fig. 8 is a sectional view through a portion of the figure illustrating theinterlocking union.

In the particular embodiment shown the figure is in the form of an eiligy of a police officer, though it will be understood that Specification of Letters Patent.

Fatented Sept. 23, 1915.

Serial No. 35.142.

any other preferred figure may be utilized. In the form illustrated the figure includes a rear portion 1. and a front portion 2, both of which are preferably hollow so as to dis pense with any unnecessary weight. The front and rear portions may be castings provided with bearings for the vertical axis by which the figure is supported, and with a support, or supports for the pivoted arms. In the form shownthe vertical axis 3 is journaled in a bearing 4i. at the lower extremity of the rear portion 1, and is provided with a reduced portion which ex tends into a bearing 6 at the upper end of rear portion. In order to reduce to a' inlniinum the frictional resistance 1 place ball bearingnieinbers '7 within the bearing 6 so that the end of the reduced portion 5 of the vertical axis or shaft will havebearing'ag'ainst said ball members, as illustrated in Fig. 6. The shaft 3 is retained in place by a removable pin 8 passing through a hole in the shaft 3 above the bearing" 4.

The front portion 2 provided with a groove 9 at its lower end to receive the bearing 4, and is also provided with a groove 10 at. its upper end to receive the bearing 6. Obviously thebearings 4 and (3 seated within the grooves 9 and 10 will prevehtlateral dislocation or displacement of the front and rear portions of the figure when they are fitted together. The bearing" 6 is provided with a projecting portion 11 adapted to engage within a recess 12 in the front portion 2 of the figure and prevent vertical dislovation or displacement of either of the parts of which the figure is composed. The front portion 2 is provided with a number of bosses 13 having threaded holes 14: therein which register with the holes 15 through the rear portion 1 when said front and rear portions are placed together in proper position.'

The holes 15 receive screws 16 which engage in the threaded holes Ll and thereby separubly fasten the front and rear portions of the figure together, the arms 17 are secured upon arod 18 which. has bearing in the rear portion 1 of the figure. The arms are prefi erably secured to the same rod, so that there can be no relative displacement or change of position of either of said arms with respect to the other. It is preferable that said arms extend in opposite directions from the supporting rod 18, so that when one of said anus extends-upwardly the other extends in a. downward direction as will be readily understood by reference to the drawing. I

Both of the arms are substantially in spiral form so that when the figure is moved rapidly through the air the arms will present their spiral surfaces against which the air contactse'tlectively to cause the arms to assume horizontal positions as illustrated in Fig. 3, and further to revolve the figure upon the vertical shaft When the figure is stationary the arms automatically and normally assume vertical positions due to a slight inerpiality in the weight of the arms.

In Fig. 1 the figure is illustrated as secured to a support 10, comprising the radiator cap of an automobile. The figure is mounted by extending the lower end of the shaft 3 through a hole in the radiator cap and binding, the shaft rigidly in position by means of clamping nuts 20 threaded on the shaft and clamped against the upper and lower surface of the cap.

W hen the vehicle is stationary the figure normally assumes a position similar to that illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 in which the arms 17 are vertically disposed. hen the vehicle is traveling the air causes the spirally formed arms 17 to assume horizontal posi- ,tions, as illustrated in Fig. The air contacting with the spirally disposed surfaces of the arms 17 sometimes causes the figure to revolve upon the vertical shaft 3. Sometimes, however, the arms may themselves revolve in vertical planes instead of the figure being revolved in a horizontal plane, This will occur when for any cause the figure is prevented from revolving on the vertical supporting shaft From the foregoing it will be understood that I have produced a device capable of rotaion in a horizontal plane and provided wi h a number of actuating arms or vanes pivotally secured thereto and capable of rotation in. vertical planes; and that said arms will be caused to assume horizontal positions when the figure is moved through the air, with the result that the. figure itself will be revolved in a horizontal plane.

It will be understood that the figure may be in any desired form and that there may be various other modifications in the construction and arrangement of the device without departure from the principles and scope of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Let arms of unequal weight pivoted upon said body and normally standing in general upright position and which are capable of swinging movements in vertical planes.

3. A device of the character described,

comprising a body portion, a vertical shaft revolubly supporting said body portion, a horizontal rod JOUI'IHLlGCl in said body portion, two spiral arms attached to said rod and extending in opposite directions thereirom, and means for securing said firstnamed rod to a support.

In witness whereof, I have signed this specificatlon 1n the presence of two subscrib: mg Witnesses.

LEWIS A. MAPEL.

lVitnesses JOHN D. Rlrrnv, R. M. LAWRENCE. 

